Thomas Floyd Payne, Jr., fifth child of Thomas F. Payne, Sr., and Dorothy Kettenring Payne was born June 5th, 1924, at Arickaree, Colorado and departed this life February 24, 2013, in Lakewood, CO at the age of 88.

Junior, as he was fondly known, grew to manhood on the family homestead and attended school at Arickaree, Lindon, and Cope, Colorado.

On February 6th, 1943, he was united in marriage to Marjorie May Standley at Kimball, Nebraska.

To this union three children were born, son – Leon Verl, and daughters – Sandra Kay and Norma Jean.

Junior farmed in the Wiladel and Cope communities and was an employee of the Washington County Road Department for a total of twenty four (24) years along with his farming operation. He was baptized June 24, 1965.

He was a talented musician and spent many years of his life playing for entertainments and charities over a large portion of Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas including nursing homes for the elderly and handicapped.

They sold their land in 1975 and semi-retired and fully retired June 6th, 1986.

Junior was a hard and willing worker, was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers, Cecil, Lawrence, Ray and Lee and a sister Mary Krause.

He leaves to mourn his passing, son Leon Payne and wife Pat, of Otis, CO, daughter Sandra Bowers of Grand Junction, Co, daughter Norma and husband Alfred Schmidt of Lakewoood, Colorado. One brother Lloyd Payne of Colorado Springs, C) and one sister, Fern Welch of Sterling, Colorado. Also left are twelve grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Friday, March 1, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Southern Baptist Church of Yuma. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at the Otis Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the First Southern Baptist Church of Yuma. Bowin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.